Planning to do a roast turkey this Christmas? Follow our foolproof guide to create your best-ever festive feast.
The ultimate Christmas turkey guide
How to choose a turkey
From feeding a crowd to a fuss-free option follow our guidelines for the perfect turkey on Christmas day.
Feeding a crowd?
If you’re feeding a crowd this Christmas, a whole turkey is the way to go. A Coles RSPCA Approved Australian Whole Turkey makes an impressive Christmas centrepiece. It’s marinated to help the meat stay tender and juicy, plus it’s all natural and never frozen for top-quality results. Coles turkeys are available in small, medium, large and extra large to suit any crowd.
Looking for a fuss-free option?
For convenience and ease of cooking, you can’t go past Coles RSPCA Approved Australian Turkey Breast Buffet. This cut is faster to cook than a whole turkey, and it’s easy to carve and serve. The turkey breast buffet is marinated for tender meat with maximum flavour, plus the leftovers are great in salads and sandwiches. These cuts are available to buy in small and medium.
Creating a deluxe Christmas feast?
Farmed in the picturesque Hunter Valley region in NSW, renowned for its high-quality produce, the Coles Finest Free Range Hunter Valley Turkey is your pick for a deluxe Christmas feast. Available in medium, large and extra large, the turkey is marinated in a mixture of herbs and sea salt for an irresistibly juicy, delicious result. Plus, like all Coles Australian turkey, this crowd-pleasing pick is RSPCA Approved.
How long to cook a turkey
Whole turkey
| Small | Medium | Large | Extra large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serves* | Small10-12 | Medium12-14 | Large14-16 | Extra large16-20 |
| Cooking time | Small2 3/4 hours | Medium3 hours | Large3 1/2 hours | Extra large3 3/4 |
Turkey buffet
| Small | Medium | |
|---|---|---|
| Serves* | Small8-10 | Medium10-12 |
| Cooking time | Small2 3/4 hours | Medium3 1/2 hours |
*Serves are approximate and are based on edible portions only.
How to prep a turkey
Follow our tips for prepping your Christmas turkey.
How to truss the turkey
For crispy skin and tasty, tender meat, tie legs together with kitchen string. Tuck the wings under turkey to expose the breast.
How to crisp up the skin
For crispy skin and tasty, tender meat, brush all over with a mix of butter and chopped herbs – this keeps the meat juicy, too.
Fail-safe stuffing tips
Adding stuffing to a turkey can affect cooking time. To help make sure your turkey cooks through, bring both the stuffing and turkey to room temperature just before stuffing and cooking, and only stuff the neck cavity.
Try this recipe
Go all out with Curtis Stone’s roast turkey. It’s teamed with a tasty mustard-peppercorn gravy.
How to carve a turkey
Serve up your turkey like a true expert with Curtis Stone's top carving tips.
Get a good grip
For even slicing, use a carving fork to keep the turkey steady, then use a sharp, heavy knife to slowly and evenly cut through the meat.
Add some gravy
Turkey has a bit of a reputation for drying out. To avoid this, pour a little of the gravy over the carved meat before serving to guests.
Turkey leftovers recipe ideas
Turn tasty leftovers into a zesty salad. Top cooked rice noodles with shredded turkey, sliced cucumber, carrot, mango and chilli. Sprinkle with mint and coriander. Drizzle with an Asian-style dressing.
